Prayers for 22nd May

Today’s thoughts are provided by Rev. Irfan John.

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” Hebrews 13:8

Many decades ago, there was a group of college students from the USA who visited the home of John Wesley who was the founder of the Methodist Church. They noticed very clear dents in the floor, in the specific place where John Wesley had knelt to pray every single day. After they had completed their tour, once they had all got onto their bus to head off, the teacher saw that one of his students was missing. The teacher headed back into the house in search of that missing student and found him kneeling in those exact dents in the floor praying “Do it again, Lord. Do it again!”. The teacher walked up to him and softly put his hand on Billy Graham’s shoulder and told him they were leaving.

Billy Graham trusted in the Lord that if he could do something like that before through John Wesley, then he could do it again through him. When we look at the life of King David we see that through all his hardships from being a little shepherd boy to the King of Israel, he trusted in the Lord to deliver him and his people like he had done to their ancestors. In Psalm 126 David cries out to God asking him to restore his people. In the first three verses King David worships the Lord for all he has done for his people; “(1) When the Lord brought back the captivity of Zion, we were like those who dream. (2) Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing. Then they said among the nations, the Lord has done great things for them. (3) The Lord has done great things for us, and we are glad”. Then in the final three verses he cries out to God to “(4) Bring back our captivity, O Lord, as the streams in the South. (5) Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy. (6) He who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him” (NKJV).

Hebrews 13:8 tells us that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (NKJV). If you put your trust in the Lord he will do for you what he has done for many before you, all you need to do is pray to him and ask for his guidance, blessings and wisdom. No matter the place or circumstances, don’t hesitate to pray and kneel before Him and he will answer your prayers and reap the harvest of your seeds.

Prayer: Heavenly Lord, your name is glorious and wonderful. We come into your presence to thank you for your Grace and all the blessings you give to us. We thank you for the continuous work of our Wales Synod, all its Circuits and Churches. We pray that you enable us and all your people to be great witnesses of your word in our nation and beyond. We thank you for our Synod Chair Rev. Stephen Wigley and for all the Superintendents, Ministers and Local Preachers that you may use them greatly for your work. Help us all to be able to plant seeds of your Glory wherever we may go. Amen.